5 April 2012
Dear Corporate Partner,
As the final siren sounded to close out Port Adelaide’s first AFL victory for 2012, I must say that that the excitement in the stadium and around the club in the following days was palpable.
It felt like a symbolic end to a difficult period for everyone associated with Port Adelaide, and a continuation of the positive energy that has been building since the moment the players walked back onto the training track after the Christmas break. This enthusiasm is not just being generated by the playing group.
Off field there has been an enormous amount of work done to set up season 2012, but equally importantly to prepare for our transition to Adelaide Oval in 2014, which will present all of us with both challenges and enormously exciting opportunities.
Having attended the official ‘turning of the first sod’ event - with the Prime Minister and Premier there to mark the significance of the moment - it again struck me that moving to Adelaide Oval will demand of us a more sophisticated approach to servicing the needs of our Corporate Partners.
And to maximise this opportunity, the way we do business needs to change now, so that we enter the new era with momentum and confidence.
So what changes are we talking about?
Tailored Solutions -
The days of ‘one solution suits all’ were over a decade ago. Adelaide Oval provides a suite of different types of product opportunities, but to utilise them fully in your interests our corporate team needs to have a very clear idea of what you are seeking out of your partnership with Port Adelaide. Matching your needs to a tailored solution is Sales 101, but it’s remarkable how often it is not achieved - and not only in football! Our team will be working overtime to understand your business better in season 2012.
Strategic Networking -
How often have you sat at a function, without having any idea or opportunity to mix with other companies of interest to you? How much better would it be if, having identified complimentary companies or industries that interest you, the seating arrangements were organised to provide you with an opportunity to mix with them. One of the advantages of knowing you better, is understanding how best we can help you to maximise these networking opportunities.
Corporate Social Responsibility -
Increasingly CSR is becoming important to companies large and small. Port Adelaide Football Club, through initiatives such as Foodbank, Power Community Youth Program, Power of Dreams, Girl Power, Aboriginal Power Cup and many other such programs, is providing outstanding opportunities for our partners to engage with the community. I believe this trend will continue to grow, and certainly our Club’s commitment to our community and expertise in this area will continue to be significant.
These are but three areas that our corporate team are focussed on improving.
We don’t want one-way relationships with our Corporate Partners. We want to create meaningful relationships, built on trust and achieving positive outcomes.
Our common interest, and often passion, will always be winning games of footy - but when money changes hands, there has to be more in it than that!
We look forward to enjoying another profitable season with you in 2012.
Regards,
KT
